As promised, we’re putting down avionics for a second to work on some fuel systems. The fuel vent lines extend from the fuselage side near the forward wing root up, around an aux longeron, in around the rudder cable, forward under the gusset, back down and around and then through the floor just behind the […]
A special episode looking back at one year of building.
The left tank has some significant leaks–and not just from the testing equipment, though I’m still battling those leaks too. The outboard edge at the baffle is showing bubbles when soapy water is applied. Not sure how this happened. I thought it would be a cleaner construction the second time around. Perhaps my sense of […]
The left tank is complete, and the testing issues with the right tank resolved. The right tank tested just fine once I got the filler cap sealed (requires two layers of packaging tape applied very diligently and cleanly) and the balloon sealed on (might recommend folks really take their time with this one, sealing that […]
While I get the testing on the right tank sorted out, I’ve started the left tank. First clecoed together and fitted, I then took the same steps forward, starting by riveting the filler neck and the stiffeners. I’m not very happy with some of the rivets. They appear to be sitting a few thousands of […]
The fuel tank appears to have leaks… or at least something in the system does. The balloon deflates after a few hours. At times it appears to hold but the falls flat. Other times, this happens quicker. I believe the leaks are in the testing system. I.e. the balloon, balloon fitting, or the tape sealing […]
The first tank is completed. I’ve brought it inside in order to help the tank sealant cure fully prior to testing. The garage is cold, and I thought there might be portions of the sealant that don’t fully cure in the minimum 48 hour time they suggest for curing.